Orlando Golf – Arnold Palmer Invitational 2012

Orlando’s golf week continues at full pace tomorrow as the 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational sees a strong field contest what promises to be four days of terrific golf.

Earlier today Arnold Palmer declared that Bay Hill was in the best condition it had ever been in the 34 year history of the tournament but he couldn’t disguise his disappointment that world number one, Luke Donald and world number two, Rory Mcllroy weren’t in the field.

“I’m disappointed that they are not here, no question about it,” said Palmer. “They are the top players on tour right now in the positions that they are in. And I’m disappointed. When I think back over the years, I went to the British Open to kind of enhance or to create additional interest in international golf,” he said. “And to think that those people are now the top international players in the world, we like to have them here. We have a wonderful field and we are very proud of our field, but to have a couple of the top players internationally and U.S. not here, I’m kind of sorry for that.”

None of this will be of too much concern for fellow Brit Martin Laird (pictured above) who will be trying to defend the title he won last year. He played a quick nine holes on Tuesday morning on the back nine and he’s raring to go. “Obviously, I don’t have too many bad memories of last year” he said. “On almost every hole we were talking about the the putts I made, especially coming down the last few holes… the putts I made on 15 and 16 and things like that.”

Of course, that’s not the only thing Laird will remember for he also got to shake the hand of Arnold Palmer. “You know, I had never met Arnold until I walked off that last green and shook his hand. That’s an awesome way to meet someone, especially someone who is such a legend in the game” he remarked.